Holloway focuses on positives

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway was keen to focus on the positives after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders were looking to give their survival bid a major boost in their penultimate home fixture of the season, but could not make a breakthrough against the Potters and with three games left to play, remain 17th, above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone on goal difference alone.

"When we watched Stoke (win 3-0) against Wolves in the week, we thought 'oh dear, they are in fine form', so I think this proves that we have come out of our doldrums," Holloway said.

"We have taken on a really good side at our place and kept a clean sheet. Their defence was slightly better than our attacking options today, so well done to them for nullifying us.

"We've lost a record (scoring in every home game), but we've gained something - we've kept a clean sheet in the Premier League at home."

Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones missed the best goalscoring opportunity of the contest in first-half stoppage time after the hosts got in a mess at a throw-in and gave away possession.

The ball came to Jones, who took it around goalkeeper Matt Gilks, but the former Sunderland frontman then somehow contrived to shoot wide.

Several mistakes on the Tangerines' part have led to goals being scored against them in recent weeks and Holloway was relieved to see their luck change this time.

"It (the match-winner) probably should have been Kenwyne Jones, but from my point of view, I think that is the tide turning for us," Holloway said.

"Why did David Vaughan take that throw-in? He's not on throw-ins. Neal Eardley came to get it off him, Vaughany has suddenly thrown it at him, then that went straight to Jones, who went through and danced around our goalkeeper. But maybe the wind blew him sideways because he missed it."

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